Peter L. Bordi

Evaluation of dietary practices of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the dietary practices of 28 football athletes on a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I team using 3-day diet records. Student athletes completed 3-day diet records at 2 individual points of time, when no training table was available. Diet records were evaluated and were compared with the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III) data for the same ages and gender group. No differences in dietary practices of collegiate football athletes were observed when compared with data for the same ages and gender group culled from NHANES III. Inadequacies in energy intake for activity level were significant (p < 0.05). Influences of fad dieting trends were noted when the diets were mapped onto the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food guide pyramid. Changes in diet would be necessary to sustain the activity level of these athletes.

The Addition of a Plain or Herb-Flavored Reduced-Fat Dip Is Associated with Improved Preschoolers' Intake of Vegetables

This quasiexperimental study used a within-subjects experimental design to determine whether adding herbs and/or spices to a reduced-fat dip increased childrens willingness to taste, liking of, and consumption of vegetables. Participants were preschool children aged 3 to 5 years who attended a child-care center in Central Pennsylvania in late 2008 and early 2009. First, childrens familiarity with and liking of six raw vegetables and five dips (reduced-fat plain, herb, garlic, pizza, and ranch) were assessed. In Experiment 1 (n=34), children tasted a vegetable they liked, one they disliked, and one they refused, with a reduced-fat plain dip and their favorite reduced-fat herb-flavored dip. In Experiment 2 (n=26 or n=27), they rated their liking of celery and yellow squash, with and without their favorite reduced-fat herb dip (pizza or ranch), and their intake of those vegetable snacks was measured. In Experiment 1, the herb-flavored dip was preferred over the plain dip (P<0.01), and children were three times more likely to reject the vegetable alone, compared with eating the vegetable paired with an herb dip (P<0.001). In Experiment 2, children ate significantly more of a previously rejected or disliked vegetable (celery and squash) when offered with a preferred reduced-fat herb dip than when the vegetable was served alone (P<0.05). These findings suggest that offering vegetables with reduced-fat dips containing familiar herb and spice flavors can increase tasting and thereby promote liking, acceptance, and consumption of vegetables, including vegetables previously rejected or disliked.

Effect of a Moderate Fat Diet With and Without Avocados on Lipoprotein Particle Number, Size and Subclasses in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background Avocados are a nutrient‐dense source of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that can be used to replace saturated fatty acids (SFA) in a diet to lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). Well‐controlled studies are lacking on the effect of avocado consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods and Results A randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial was conducted with 45 overweight or obese participants with baseline LDL‐C in the 25th to 90th percentile. Three cholesterol‐lowering diets (6% to 7% SFA) were fed (5 weeks each): a lower‐fat diet (LF: 24% fat); 2 moderate‐fat diets (34% fat) provided similar foods and were matched for macronutrients and fatty acids: the avocado diet (AV) included one fresh Hass avocado (136 g) per day, and the moderate‐fat diet (MF) mainly used high oleic acid oils to match the fatty acid content of one avocado. Compared with baseline, the reduction in LDL‐C and non‐high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol on the AV diet (−13.5 mg/dL, −14.6 mg/dL) was greater (P<0.05) than the MF (−8.3 mg/dL, −8.7 mg/dL) and LF (−7.4 mg/dL, −4.8 mg/dL) diets. Furthermore, only the AV diet significantly decreased LDL particle number (LDL‐P, −80.1 nmol/L, P=0.0001), small dense LDL cholesterol (LDL3+4, −4.1 mg/dL, P=0.04), and the ratio of LDL/HDL (−6.6%, P<0.0001) from baseline. Conclusions Inclusion of one avocado per day as part of a moderate‐fat, cholesterol‐lowering diet has additional LDL‐C, LDL‐P, and non‐HDL‐C lowering effects, especially for small, dense LDL. Our results demonstrate that avocados have beneficial effects on cardio‐metabolic risk factors that extend beyond their heart‐healthy fatty acid profile. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01235832.

Effects of daily almond consumption on cardiometabolic risk and abdominal adiposity in healthy adults with elevated LDL-cholesterol: a randomized controlled trial.

Background Evidence consistently shows that almond consumption beneficially affects lipids and lipoproteins. Almonds, however, have not been evaluated in a controlled‐feeding setting using a diet design with only a single, calorie‐matched food substitution to assess their specific effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods and Results In a randomized, 2‐period (6 week/period), crossover, controlled‐feeding study of 48 individuals with elevated LDL‐C (149±3 mg/dL), a cholesterol‐lowering diet with almonds (1.5 oz. of almonds/day) was compared to an identical diet with an isocaloric muffin substitution (no almonds/day). Differences in the nutrient profiles of the control (58% CHO, 15% PRO, 26% total fat) and almond (51% CHO, 16% PRO, 32% total fat) diets were due to nutrients inherent to each snack; diets did not differ in saturated fat or cholesterol. The almond diet, compared with the control diet, decreased non‐HDL‐C (−6.9±2.4 mg/dL; P=0.01) and LDL‐C (−5.3±1.9 mg/dL; P=0.01); furthermore, the control diet decreased HDL‐C (−1.7±0.6 mg/dL; P<0.01). Almond consumption also reduced abdominal fat (−0.07±0.03 kg; P=0.02) and leg fat (−0.12±0.05 kg; P=0.02), despite no differences in total body weight. Conclusions Almonds reduced non‐HDL‐C, LDL‐C, and central adiposity, important risk factors for cardiometabolic dysfunction, while maintaining HDL‐C concentrations. Therefore, daily consumption of almonds (1.5 oz.), substituted for a high‐carbohydrate snack, may be a simple dietary strategy to prevent the onset of cardiometabolic diseases in healthy individuals. Clinical Trial Registration URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT01101230.

Cocoa-based protein and carbohydrate drink decreases perceived soreness after exhaustive aerobic exercise: a pragmatic preliminary analysis.

McBrier, NM, Vairo, GL, Bagshaw, D, Lekan, JM, Bordi, PL, and Kris-Etherton, PM. Cocoa-based protein and carbohydrate drink decreases perceived soreness after exhaustive aerobic exercise: A pragmatic preliminary analysis. J Strength Cond Res 24(8): 2203-2210, 2010-The purpose of this pragmatic preliminary analysis was to examine the effectiveness of a cocoa-based protein and carbohydrate prototype drink on skeletal muscle damage and perceived soreness after exhaustive exercise. A repeated-measures experimental design was used. Common biomarkers indicative of skeletal muscle damage included creatine kinase (CK), urinary isoprostanes and inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, C-Reactive Protein [CRP]). Self-reported perception of postexercise soreness was also evaluated. Seven men participated in an exercise session consisting of a 30-minute run on a declined treadmill (−10% grade). Running speed was adjusted accordingly so that participants consistently maintained 75% maximal heart rate. Drinks were ingested immediately after exercise, 2 hours postexercise, and before bed. Blood draws were sampled 30, 60, 120, and 360 minutes postexercise; urine was collected 24 and 48 hours postexercise. A perceived soreness questionnaire was administered 24 and 48 hours postexercise. The test drink had no effect on IL-6, CK, IL-8, CRP, or urinary isoprostanes (p > 0.05). However, the drink decreased the change in perceived soreness from 24 to 48 hours (p = 0.03). Consuming the drink after exercise resulted in a mean change of 2.6 ± 6 compared to 13.7 ± 10 for the control. In summary, the drink was effective in decreasing the level of self-reported perceived soreness after exhaustive exercise.

Middle School Teachersʼ Perceptions of a “Grab ‘n Go” Breakfast Program

“Grab ‘n Go”breakfast is an alternative service style that brings food and beverages to the students rather than having students come to the cafeteria. Teachers are prime stakeholders in this type of project. The goal of this study was to determine the opinions of teachers regarding this type of service in a suburban Pennsylvania middle school. Teachers were surveyed 1 month after the service was initiated. The majority of teachers were supportive of the “grab ‘n go” service and thought it was worth any additional effort. Approximately one third of the teachers also used the new breakfast service as a springboard to talk to students about the importance of eating breakfast. The findings of this project affirm that teachers should be considered as potential allies in supporting new types of breakfast service that make breakfast consumption easier for students in middle school.

Nutrition, sensory evaluation, and performance analysis of hydrogenated frying oils

The Food and Drug Administration now requires labeling of trans fats on nutrition labels, a decision that has created a push to reformulate deep-fat frying oils. Prior to the passage of this law, frying oils contained trans fats because trans fats made the oils more stable and thus allowing for longer frying usage. In the present study, oil performance, sensory evaluation and nutritional analysis was conducted on trans fat-free oils through a 10-day degradation process using French fries to break down the oil. The goal of the study was to test oil stability and nutrition analysis and to learn consumer preference between trans fat and trans fat-free oils. Sensory evaluation indicated a preference for fries composed from trans fat-free oil mixtures. The most stable oils were also combination oils. Based on these findings, industry representatives considering using the trans fat-free frying oils should consider using blended oils instead, which met customers’ taste preference and minimized oil rancidity and usage.

Caregivers’ Reactions to Healthful Items and Nutrition Information on Children’s Menus

The objectives of this study are to examine whether caregivers’ dining behaviors with their children differ based on socioeconomic and demographic factors and children’s characteristics and to investigate whether the availability of healthful children’s menus and nutrition information influences their food selections for children. Caregivers’ dining behaviors were influenced by children’s age, gender, and number of children in a household. Caregivers chose lower calorie items when healthful items are available. The presence of nutrition information did not affect food selections. There may be a need to empower caregivers through interventions aimed at promoting healthful children’s food at restaurants.

Preadolescent Preference for Chocolate Milk Sweetened with Stevia and Sucrose: Pilot Test

The main objective of this study was to evaluate preadolescents’ preference for non-fat chocolate milk, sweetened with Stevia (Enliten®), sucrose, and/or Nutraflora®. Preadolescent middle school children participated in the study. A survey was carried out with the panelists about their chocolate milk preference, frequency of milk consumption, and choice. Products combined milk with sugar and Stevia, non-sugar-added [NSA] with Stevia, NSA with Stevia and Nutraflora®, Control 1 (20 g sugar), and Control 2 (28 g sugar) and were evaluated with a structured 7-point hedonic scale. In sum, children preferred chocolate milk with sweeter flavor.

An assessment of middle school children's knowledge and attitudes of nutrition and their effects on eating behaviors

Abstract Middle school children in a northeastern city in die United States were surveyed to assess dieir nutrition knowledge and attitudes. Basic eating behaviors, specifically the number of meals eaten, were recorded and evaluated based on gender, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes toward nutrition. In this pilot study, children were asked about their beliefs about different foods for their nutritional value, their positive or negative attitudes about the food, their intentions of eating these foods, and what meals they ate or skipped. The results showed attitudes were significantly related with intentions, and nutritional beliefs were marginally related with attitudes, and, intentions were marginally related to meals eaten. In addition, the study revealed that girls skip breakfast significantly more often on weekdays than boys, but that the opposite occurs on the weekend when boys skip breakfast significantly more often than girls.